The Rudder Grangers Abroad | Page 3

swimming near us, with seven pelicans flying along on the other
side of the river, there was no sign of life within the range of my sight.
I was not long in understanding the situation. It had not been the lulling
of the storm, but the parting of our cable which had caused the uneasy
jerking of our little yacht to cease. We had been blown I knew not how
far down the river, for the storm had come from the north, and had
stranded I knew not where. Taking out my pocket-compass I found that
we were on the eastern shore of the river, and that the wind had
changed completely, and was now blowing, not very strong, from the
southeast. I made up my mind what must be done. We were probably
far from the settlement and the rest of the party, and we must go back.
The wind was in our favor, and I knew I could sail the boat. I had never
sailed a boat in my life, and was only too glad to have the opportunity,
untrammelled by any interference.
I awoke Euphemia and told her what had happened. The two 'possums
stood upon the shore, and listened to our conversation. Euphemia was
much impressed by the whole affair, and for a time said nothing.
"We must sail her back, I suppose," she remarked at length, "but do you
know how to start her?"
"The hardest thing to do is to get her off the beach," I answered, "but I
think I can do that."
I rolled up my trousers, and with bare feet jumped out upon the sand.
The two 'possums retired a little, but still watched my proceedings.
After a great deal of pushing and twisting and lifting, I got the yacht
afloat, and then went on board to set the sail. After much pulling and
tugging, and making myself very warm, I hoisted the main-sail. I did
not trouble myself about the jib, one sail being enough for me to begin
with. As the wind was blowing in the direction in which we wished to
go, I let the sail out until it stood nearly at right angles with the vessel,
and was delighted to see that we immediately began to move through
the water. I took the tiller, and steered gradually toward the middle of
the river. The wind blew steadily, and the yacht moved bravely on. I
was as proud as a man drawn by a conquered lion, and as happy as one

who did not know that conquered lions may turn and rend. Sometimes
the vessel rolled so much that the end of the boom skimmed the surface
of the water, and sometimes the sail gave a little jerk and flap, but I saw
no necessity for changing our course, and kept our bow pointed steadily
up the river. I was delighted that the direction of the wind enabled me
to sail with what might be called a horizontal deck. Of course, as the
boatman afterward informed me, this was the most dangerous way I
could steer, for if the sail should suddenly "jibe," there would be no
knowing what would happen. Euphemia sat near me, perfectly placid
and cheerful, and her absolute trust in me gave me renewed confidence
and pleasure. "There is one great comfort," she remarked, as she sat
gazing into the water,--"if anything should happen to the boat, we can
get out and walk."
There was force in this remark, for the Indian River in some of its
widest parts is very shallow, and we could now plainly see the bottom,
a few feet below us.
"Is that the reason you have seemed so trustful and content?" I asked.
"That is the reason," said Euphemia. On we went and on, the yacht
seeming sometimes a little restive and impatient, and sometimes rolling
more than I could see any necessity for, but still it proceeded.
Euphemia sat in the shadow of the cabin, serene and thoughtful, and I,
holding the tiller steadily amidship, leaned back and gazed up into the
clear blue sky.
In the midst of my gazing there came a shock that knocked the tiller out
of my hand. Euphemia sprang to her feet and screamed; there were
screams and shouts on the other side of the sail, which seemed to be
wrapping itself about some object I could not see. In an instant another
mast beside our own appeared above the main-sail, and then a man with
a red face jumped on the forward deck. With a quick, determined air,
and without saying a word, or seeming to care for my permission, he
proceeded to lower our sail; then he stepped up on top of the cabin, and
looking down at me, inquired what